Court resumed with Bob Wallace's request to call a surprise witness.
Scott Rodham objected to someone whose name wasn't revealed in the discovery phase of the trial being allowed to testify.
Bob convinced Judge Roberts that the witness, who had only recently surfaced, was significant.
Tawana held her breath when Grant Parker's name was called. He walked to the witness stand with his head lowered and his hands shoved in his pockets.
The series of questions and answers began with him identifying himself as a Harvard medical student, with an emphasis in plastic surgery. He explained that this was his first visit to Richmond, then acknowledged that he had relatives in the area with whom he had recently been in contact.
"With whom have you been talking and corresponding via email?"
"My aunt," was Grant's nervous reply.
"What is her name?"
"Bethany Miller."
"Did you two talk regularly before this summer?"
"Not really, except for holidays and birthdays," Grant said. "She called me sometime in June to say hello and invite me to visit the family, since I was spending my summer just a couple of hours away, in North Carolina."
Bethany had inquired about his studies at Harvard and asked if, by chance, he knew Tawana, whom she had recently met through a couple she knew.
"I asked her why, but Aunt Bethany never really answered," Grant said. "She went on and on about how nice Tawana was and mentioned that Tawana was working with a prominent Richmond law firm for the summer, on a big case. She hinted that I should come up and take Tawana out."
Grant looked briefly in Tawana's direction, before continuing.
"I mentioned that I had had a brief relationship with Tawana, and Aunt Bethany seemed thrilled.
"When I asked her why she was so interested in my love life all of a sudden, she stumbled over her words, but then she asked me again to come up to Richmond to see Tawana.
"Aunt Bethany can usually steamroll her plans through, but I couldn't let that happen this time," Grant said. "I told her that Tawana and I hadn't parted as friends. She kept pressuring me for details, and I don't know why, but I told her some things that I hadn't shared with anyone else. She seemed elated after I had spilled my guts, and instead of making me feel better about some bad choices, she rushed me off the phone. Later that week, I picked up a copy of the The Washington Post and read that a Harvard law student, T. Elise Carter, was helping with a big murder trial in Richmond. I knew it had to be Tawana. And I remembered some shameful things I'd said to Tawana about her name."
Tawana turned to look at her mother and Serena. With her eyes, she pleaded with them to leave. Ms. Carter shook her head and mouthed, "It's okay" to her daughter.
Tawana closed her eyes and waited for Grant's full revelation. She was startled when someone reached for her hand and squeezed it.
She opened her eyes and looked into Arlen's reassuring ones.
Bob cleared his throat. "What was this great news Mrs. Miller had received during your chat?"
"I confided in Aunt Bethany that I had taken Tawana on a date and that at the end of the night..."
He paused and looked apologetically at Tawana, who with Arlen's support, had decided to hear the revelations with her eyes open.
She returned Grant's gaze but showed no emotion.
"Go on, sir," Bob prodded.
"I had asked Tawana if she wanted to go back to my apartment and she indicated that she would—for a price."
Judge Roberts was forced to bang the gavel again, to restore order in the courtroom.
Tawana looked at Serena and her mother again. Ms. Carter's eyes were closed. Serena nodded at Tawana and slightly smiled. At least they hadn't fled in shame.
"Did you sleep with Tawana Elise Carter during your date?"
Grant answered softly. "Yes, I did."
"Did you pay Tawana Elise Carter for sex that night?"
Grant looked at Tawana and spoke firmly.
"No, I did not. It was strictly consensual."
"Is Tawana Elise Carter a prostitute?"
"No, sir," Grant answered. "Not to my knowledge. I, too, bear some of the blame for what happened that night."